Syllabus for Fall 2014 version of Social Media Practices, a course I developed in 2012. Some course materials now available here: http://teachsocialbusiness.com I'm teaching Social Media Practices for the 4th time this Fall. It's a work-in-progress because of the ever-evolving world of social and mobile media technology. I don't include a course calendar in the syllabus itself, although I do provide readings for each topic distribute those through a shared Google doc and and post the readings on the students' course website: http://socialmediapractices.wordpress.com. I use that site to help each students how to use the basics of WordPress. If you're interested in connecting on LinkedIn, hit me up: /shereem but please include a reference to how you found me, so I don't think you're a random stranger.

1. JMC 380:01 Social Media Practices is about ...
...the STRATEGIC use of
content + storytelling + social tools
to build and maintain
relationships.
These are just a few of
the social tools we’ll
explore.
Fall 2014

2. What You’ll Do In This Class
Explore. [En]Vision. Analyze. Plan. Do.
Research, discover and analyze
effective social media practices for
businesses, nonprofits and personal
networking.
Research and explore the many social Tools available
for Telling Stories & building relationships.
Get creative and imagine new ways to use
social media to build relationships.
Learn about social metrics and the tools available for
evaluating the effectiveness of social business efforts.
Share your findings via the class blog, class
presentations and social media.
Run a short-term social media campaign for a real client
to gain practical understanding of tactics and metrics.
Apply your ideas and insights by writing an in-depth
content marketing + social media plan.

3. Instructor Info:
Dr. Sheree Martin
Email: tmartin@samford.edu
Office: UCA 204
Office Phone: 726-2394
Office Hours, Fall 2014:
MWF: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
T/Th: 2:05 - 3:05 p.m.
And By Appointment
A few of my social links:
http://shereemartin.com
Twitter: @RealSheree
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shereem
Google+: http://gplus.to/Sheree
Instagram: @Shinecast
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/reerocks/
Tech Stuff You’ll Need for Class
--One of these (not all, but at least one)
Mobile Wifi Device with
these installed:
Chrome or Firefox browser
Kindle Reader
You’ll also need to be
willing to establish and
maintain accounts with
a bunch of social media
networks and applications.

4. Required
History + Context
You can find what you
need from The Cluetrain
Manifesto free online:
http://www.cluetrain.com
Recommended
Context, Strategy
Theory & Strategy
Tactics & Best
Practices
You will be assigned readings, podcasts and videos on a regular basis.
Due to the rapidly-changing nature of the social landscape, these are
assigned and scheduled via in-class announcements.

5. Highly Recommended*
Subscribe, follow, read.
--At least weekly.
*This is not a complete list.

6. Assignments & Grading
Research & Case Studies (2 x 10% each = 20%)
You will explore, research and present two case studies.
Topics to be assigned in class.
Social Profile (10%)
You will create a personal background and profile summary
for LinkedIn, an About.me page, and Twitter biography.
Podcast Project (10%)
You will work with a partner to produce a 20-minute
podcast episode on a topic that you define.
Twitter Nuggets (10%)
You must tweet 10 useful social media tips during the
semester, using assigned hashtags & tag @RealSheree.
In-Class Nuggets (Lighting Presentations) (10%)
You must present 3 social media discoveries or tips over
the course of the semester. You will sign up in class for
your presentation dates and general topics.
Content Marketing & Social Media Plan (20%)
You will work with a team of three classmates to apply
what you’ve learned. Together, you will produce a
comprehensive content marketing and social media plan.
Attendance & General Participation (10%)
Includes possible pop quizzes based on assigned readings.
Final Exam (10%)
Wednesday, December 10, at 10:30 a.m. we will convene in
UCA Room 108 for a final exam. You will describe in writing
10 things you’ve learned this semester in social media
practices.
Class Blog: http://socialmediapractices.wordpress.com/

7. The Fine Print
Letter grades for the course will be determined by total points earned in the categories above as a
percentage of total possible points, using the following scale:
A 93% - Above A- 90-92% B+ 87-89% B 83-86%
B- 80-82% C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69% D 63-66% D- 60-62% F 59% & Below
Class Meeting Time & Room Assignment
Our class is scheduled to meet in UCA 109 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:30 - 11:35 a.m.
Screen Names
If you prefer to blog and/or tweet or otherwise use an anonymous screen name, that is permissible for this
course. However, you must give the instructor your screen name for purposes of course grading and assessment
and give permission for the instructor to add your Twitter account to a Twitter list that will be used during the
semester. You are not required to USE the social bios you create, but you are required to create them.
Attendance
• Attendance is expected and required. Unexcused absences will result in a zero (no points) for any in-class
exercise given that day. You will get out of this course what you put into it.
• If you are absent for official university business (such as participation in Samford athletics, debate
competition, etc.) this will qualify as an excused absence if you provide verification of your participation in
such an event.
• Consideration will be given for documented emergencies beyond your control—primarily medical—
provided these emergencies are documented or verified.
• Vacations, family trips, early departure/late return from holidays, and work schedules do not qualify as
excused absences.
• Punctuality and participation in class discussion are also critical. Frequent ate arrivals can (and likely will)
affect the participation portion of your grade.
Canceling Classes
Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of Samford University, such as pandemic illness, may
occasionally result in changes to normal university operations, including cancellation of classes or events or an
adjustment to the schedule. It is the student’s responsibility to check for official university announcements that
address such issues.
Students With Disabilities
If you are registered with Disability Resources (DR) and have your accommodation letter, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible to confidentially discuss accommodations that may be necessary. If
you have a disability but have not contacted Disability Support Services, please call 726-2980/4078 or visit DR
located within Career Development, Room 205 of the University Center.
Academic Integrity
As stated in the Samford University catalog, “students, upon enrollment, enter into voluntary association with
Samford University. They must be willing to observe high standards of intellectual integrity; they must respect
knowledge and practice academic honesty.” Unless specified otherwise, students are expected to do
their own independent work, and to refrain from cheating, copying or plagiarizing the work of others. When
drawing from various resources for assignments, students must provide citations, footnotes and bibliographic
information. For more information on the new Academic Integrity Policy, visit:
http://www.samford.edu/studenthandbook/academic-life.aspx?id=21474850027